THE RIVER BETWEEN US is an exhibition about the Mississippi River—its convoluted history, physical immensity and romantic myths. It is a two-part exhibition, organized by Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis and Longue Vue House and Gardens, New Orleans. Longue Vue is a historic mid-20th century home filled with antiques and modern art collected by prominent New Orleans philanthropists Edith & Edgar Stern. For her installation River Campaign, Mel Watkin embedded altered Mississippi River Navigational Charts throughout the house. The charts are over-painted with glossy oil slicks, flowery oil booms, shiny pools of toxic waste, and swirling snake-like eddies. In Longue Vue’s gallery, Watkin’s hand-painted china, silverware and embroidered napkins (matching the river charts) spill out of a picnic basket onto a 19th century campaign table as if in preparation for a river journey.